Japan set to defend WBC title with young team

FILE - In this Feb. 23, 2013 file photo, Japan's Ryoji Aikawa, left, is welcomed by manager Koji Yamamoto, right, and coach Osamu Higashio, second from right, after hitting a come-from-behind three-run homer against Australia in the eighth inning of their exhibition baseball game at Kyocera Dome in Osaka, western Japan. The team to beat in the third World Baseball Classic is two-time winner Japan. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT, NO LICENSING IN CHINA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, SOUTH K
— AP

FILE - In this Feb. 23, 2013 file photo, Japan's Ryoji Aikawa, left, is welcomed by manager Koji Yamamoto, right, and coach Osamu Higashio, second from right, after hitting a come-from-behind three-run homer against Australia in the eighth inning of their exhibition baseball game at Kyocera Dome in Osaka, western Japan. The team to beat in the third World Baseball Classic is two-time winner Japan. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT, NO LICENSING IN CHINA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, SOUTH K
/ AP

Larkin know his team faces a huge challenge against Japan in the opener.

"We just have to stick to the basics and play like we did against Panama," Larkin said. "It doesn't matter whether you are playing Japan or Panama. You have to play your game."

China got a setback when Kansas City Royals starter Bruce Chen scrapped plans to pitch for the team in this year's tournament. Chen, who is of Chinese descent, grew up in Panama and pitched for that country in the first two tournaments.

While China's team is still very much in the developmental stages, the team has a lot of MLB pedigree at the coaching level and will be managed by former Seattle Mariners skipper John McLaren. Former MLB pitcher Bruce Hurst is the pitching coach, while former MLB manager Art Howe is the hitting coach.